Jonathan Fluck
ROLE: Kris Kringle Jonathan is delighted to be making his debut at La Comedia. Often during the holidays he plays Scrooge or Mr. Greenway in Elf: The Musical – the MEAN characters. Playing Kringle is a terrific change of pace. In the musical theater genre, Jonathan has loved performing Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, the Major General in Pirates of Penzance, the Beadle in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, Charlie in Brigadoon (when he was MUCH younger), but most delicious of all was as one of the gangsters in Kiss Me Kate, where with two scenes and a song you walk off with the show. In non-musical theater his juiciest roles have been Hamm in Samuel Beckett’s Endgame, the Reverend Parris in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, and Dr. Einstein in Arsenic & Old Lace.
Keenan Patrick Buckley
ROLE: Fred Keenan is ecstatic to make his La Comedia debut. A graduate of Itahaca College with a B.F.A. in musical theatre, he was most recently seen in Fox Nation’s Christmas At The Greenbrier. Past theatre credits include Matt in The Fantasticks, Laurie in Little Women: The Musical, Tony in West Side Story, Monty in Violet. Keenan would like to thank Chris Beiser, The Adkins family and the entire La Comedia team. “Thanks to Mom, Dad, & Madolyn.”
Colin Cranstoun
ROLE: Gimbel/Ensemble Colin is happy to be returning to the La Comedia stage after appearing in Grumpy Old Men, Just Desserts, Footloose, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, The Little Mermaid, The King and I, as the operator of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, and as LeFou in Beauty and the Beast. He has also been seen here in Sister Act, Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Story, The Addams Family, South Pacific, Miracle on 34th Street, Happy Days, Titanic, and A Christmas Carol.
Catie Cumings
ROLE: Ensemble Catie is thrilled to be back on the La Comedia stage this Christmas. Previous La Comedia credits include Meg in Little Women: The Musical and Sister Berthe/Frau Schmidt in The Sound of Music. She was most recently seen as an Usherette/Featured Dancer in The Producers at TheatreLab Dayton. Being able to spend the holidays on stage doing what she loves most is the greatest gift Catie could ask for. She’s immensely grateful for everyone that’s made that possible, but most of all, her family and friends. “Happy Holidays and enjoy the show!”
Alexia Daniels
ROLE: Shellhammer Alexia is excited to return to La Comedia after appearing as the Wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast. She is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a B.F.A. in acting. She was recently seen in a production of Rent as a featured ensemble member. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support. She hopes everyone enjoys the show.
Charlotte Dawson
ROLE: Susan Charlotte is excited to be returning to the La Comedia stage for the second time this year after appearing in Cinderella. She discovered her love for theater on the same stage as Gretl von Trapp in The Sound of Music and was also part of The Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg production of Lion King Jr. In her free time, Charlotte enjoys cheerleading, competition dance, voice lessons, tumbling, drawing, painting and spending time with family and friends. She hopes you have a wonderful holiday season and that you enjoy the show. “I would like to dedicate my performance to my Gaga in Heaven. I love and miss you, Gaga!” Dedicated to Jane Kosater Blackson. Angels watch.
Steven Drake
ROLE: D.A. Mara/Ensemble Steven is grateful to be making his La Comedia debut. He grew up in Tampa Bay, Florida, and moved to NYC in 2014 to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), where he studied musical theatre. When not performing, he bartends at Chicago: the Musical on Broadway. Credits include John in Liberty Belles (Carousel Music Theater), Grasshopper in James and the Giant Peach (Round Barn Theatre), Wally in Life Could Be a Dream (Round Barn Theatre), and Doody in Grease (Manatee Performing Arts Center).
Rebecca Lea Evans
ROLE: Doris Rebecca is thrilled to be making her La Comedia debut during the magical holiday season. Earlier this year, she was seen on stage at Myers’ Dinner Theatre as Marty in Grease, Truvy in Steel Magnolias, and Leah in Two By Two. Other favorite credits include Doralee in 9 to 5: The Musical, Widow Corney in Oliver!, Deb in Elf: The Musical, and White Christmas. As a graduate of Ball State University, she received her degree in vocal performance where she performed several opera classics. Much love to all her supporters. “Happy Holidays!”
Adilynn Hatton
ROLE: Susan Adilynn is 8 years old and is a 2nd grader at Springboro, Dennis Elementary. No stranger to the stage, she is delighted to be returning to La Comedia after appearing as Susan Waverly in White Christmas and Gretl von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Addie has a passion for performing and has participated in various productions and theatre camps in the Dayton/Cincinnati areas. When not performing on stage, she can be found dancing, singing, and cheering. Adilynn would like to thank her family, friends, and various teachers/coaches for their ongoing support, and she hopes you enjoy the show.
Sheryl Koontz
ROLE: Judge Harper/Ensemble This is Sheryl’s first appearance on the La Comedia stage. She has been seen in many local productions including, Enchanted April as Mrs. Graves, The Curious Savage as Mrs. Savage, Mary Poppins as Mrs. Banks, The Wizard of Oz as Aunt Em, and The Foreigner as Betty Meeks. Other favorite credits include Nancy in Oliver!, Jane Ashton in Brigadoon, and Donna in The Taffetas. When not on stage, Sheryl enjoys spending time with her many animals and ghost hunting with her family. She is dedicating this performance to her parents, who were always her biggest fans.
Steve Lakes
ROLE: Macy/Ensemble Steve is grateful to be back on the La Comedia stage after recently appearing as King Triton in The Little Mermaid, Gerard Carriere in Phantom, and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. He has also performed in Jingle Jazz at Kings Island’s Winterfest, TheatreLab Dayton’s productions of Annie and The Producers, and also as Horace Vandergelder in RCT’S production of Hello Dolly! When not performing, he loves traveling and spending time with his supportive family and friends. Steve gives a special thank you to James for always being the best line partner, and wishes you and your family the best this holiday season.
Nate Marcum
ROLE: Ensemble Nate is stoked to be making his La Comedia debut with such a delightful cast. Miracle on 34th Street was his first on-stage production 15 years ago, and he’s so grateful for the opportunity to return to it. Nate was last seen on stage as Franz in The Producers at the Victoria Theatre in Dayton. He’d like to thank his cast mates, the La Comedia team, and his family for their constant support. “Merry Christmas!”
Julianna Pyle
ROLE: Ensemble Julianna is proud to be making her La Comedia debut. After graduating with an education degree, she decided to make a change and begin her professional acting career. She would like to send thanks to the production of Joesph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, the Middletown Performing Arts Academy, and the University of Toledo theatre department for sparking her joy for musicals. She would also like to send love to God, her family (especially her mama and dad) and her dog Charlie for supporting her dreams.
Meghan Slowik
ROLE: Ensemble Meghan is excited to be returning to La Comedia after appearing as Punky Olander in Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, Escape to Margaritaville, Phantom and The Music Man. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, she is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s in piano performance. She was in a professional children’s choir for 10 years, performed at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and was in the Florida Touring Choir for Josh Groban’s “Stages” tour. She has been in several operas, including Turandot, Suor Angelica, and Blind Injustice with the Cincinnati Opera.
JD Smith
ROLE: Finley/Ensemble JD is thrilled to be making their La Comedia debut. They grew up in northeast Indiana, and graduated from Purdue Fort Wayne with a B.A. in theatre with emphasis in musical theatre. Some recent credits include Mordred in Camelot, Templeton in Charlotte’s Web, and Rod in Singin’ in the Rain. In addition to regional theatre work, JD spent two summers at Hersheypark where they learned to juggle, originated a role in Hersheypark’s first haunt season, and traveled the country as a dinosaur trainer with Jurrasic Quest. They would like to thank their family for the endless love and support.
Karie-Lee Sutherland
ROLE: Dr. Pierce/Ensemble Karie-Lee returns to the La Comedia stage after appearing as Ariel Truax in Grumpy Old Men: The Musical. Favorite roles include Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, and Morticia Addams in The Addams Family. Karie-Lee has toured the world as a performer for the DOD-USO, and is a veteran of live shows at Kings Island. She has worked as an actor, director, and choreographer at various theaters in Cincinnati including the Covedale Center, Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, the Educational Outreach program at Playhouse in the Park, Showboat Majestic, CCM’s Prep Department, and Miami University’s theatre department. Love to Matthew, William, Aubrie-Lee, and Jeremy. Find her on YouTube at “Still Kicking with Karie-Lee.”
David Thomas
ROLE: Dr. Sawyer David is a Dayton-based actor previously seen on the La Comedia stage as Sheldrake in White Christmas, Monty in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Buddy the Elf in Elf:The Musical, as well as Leaf Coneybear in Dayton Playhouse’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Lt. Daniel Kafee in A Few Good Men.
Kelsey Wilson
ROLE: Ensemble Kelsey is excited to return to La Comedia after appearing in Grumpy Old Men: The Musical. Originally from North Carolina, Kelsey is a Chicago-based actor. Recent projects include Pattie in Beehive, Belle in A Christmas Carol, and All Shook Up at Temple Theatre Company. Other credits include Dancer in The Lost Colony, June in Gypsy, Sarah in Archibald MacLeish’s J.B., and Universal Television’s The Enemy Within. She received her B.F.A. in theatre from Western Carolina University and currently trains with Innovative Voice Studio.
